By Elton Gomes
India began its third day at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2018 by adding two gold medals to its tally. Weightlifters Sathish Kumar Sivalingam and Ragala Venkat Rahul both made the country proud by winning gold medals.
Sivalingam won in the men’s 77 kg event, while Rahul won gold by lifting a total weight of 338 kg (151+187) in the men’s 85 kg weightlifting event. With another gold in the bag, India’s overall medal tally increased to 6.
Indian weightlifters continued to win laurels for the country, and Sivalingam lifted 144 kg in Snatch and 173 kg in Clean and Jerk in the mens 77 kg event. Sivalingam faced a formidable opponent in Jack Oliver, who came in second.
Despite suffering from a thigh injury, Sivalingam was impressive with his lifts. Credit: Twitter/@VVSLaxman281Oliver, who is representing England, bagged silver with a total of 312 kg, while Australia’s Francois Etoundi took home a bronze.
India climbed to the fourth spot after collecting a total of six medals. Host Australia is now at top of the table with 17 golds and 50 medals overall. England slipped to the second spot with 29 medals overall including 14 gold medals.
Key developments
In what was perhaps the biggest clash on day 3 of the games, the India and Pakistan hockey match ended with a 2-2 draw. The Indian team was leading with two goals, however, Pakistan was awarded a penalty after a decision by video umpire Nel Dion. Dilpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh scored for India, while Muhammad Irfan Jr and Ali Mubashar found their names on the scoresheet for Pakistan.
Indian squash player Joshna Chinappa bowed out from women’s singles as she lost her second game 5-11, 6-11, 9-11 to New Zealand’s Joelle King in the quarterfinals.
In men’s boxing, India’s Manoj Kumar went through to the quarterfinals after defeating Tanzania’s Tasim Mbundwike in the round of 16. Boxer Sarita Devi also qualified for the quarters in women’s 60 kg boxing. Kidambi Srikanth’s wins helped India progress to the semi-finals where they will be up against either Singapore or Australia. Srikanth wrapped up the match in just 31 minutes against Georges Julien Paul from Mauritius.
Day 4 of the games
Day 4 will witness Indian shooters in action and there are high hopes from India’s shooting contingent. Teen sensation Manu Bhaker is expected to win a medal in the women’s 10 m air pistol event. After winning a double gold in her maiden senior ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) World Cup in Mexico in March 2018, 16-year-old Bhaker has been in the limelight.
Heena Sidhu will also set her sights on returning with a medal. Renowned shooters Ravi Kumar and Deepak Kumar will also be competing in the men’s 10 m air rifle.
The Indian women’s hockey team will take on England, while the men’s team will face Wales.